Harbor Freight tools thread.

Weller.

 

I have a Weller cordless soldering iron. It was $25. The HF is $20 and has good reviews. For light soldering jobs you can't beat a cordless. They heat up a lot quicker and also can be used as a heat gun to shrink shrink tubing or to shrink crimp connectors that have that capability.

Check out these connectors. The middle stripe is solder, the outer stripes are seals/glue that shrinks to the wire. They work great for boat trailers or anywhere where a connector might get wet. I used them on military tank simulators that I used to help assemble. These cordless soldering irons work great on these connectors.

 

Buy a butane one. Weller makes a good one.

 

Good to get some actual feedback on these things. An ad for them keeps popping up on my insta feed and I was curious. I found them on Amazon and have them in my want list as a reminder but haven’t pulled the trigger. Guess I’ll give them a try.

 

The newer offerings are greatly improved over the old school ones- they're now very fine tooth ratchets and they hold the bits. I have a couple by VIM, who makes quite a few variations. VIM also makes fantastic bits and bit sockets.

$22 VIM Tools HBR3 Double Ended 1/4" Hex Bit Ratchet

https://www.amazon.com/Vim-Tools-HBR3-Bit-Ratchet/dp/B002Y05COI

 

I have a Weller WES 51 station. It used to be the standard for the less expensive stations, but it looks like they don't make it anymore. I also have a portasol butane kit for portability- but I've found that I almost never use the butane, since I work in my garage and there's an electric cord reel right there.

I'd recommend starting with a decent station, see what's well rated on Amazon, and then over time you can decide if you want to add a butane or cordless.

 

Ive got a Weller WLC100 (40watt station) I use a decent amount. Works well.

Also have a small butane one I used infrequently. Only grab it when needing to do 1 solder type stuff. A Weller ML500MP. I just dont care forbutane if doing multiple areas of soldering (say a wiring harness) As there never seems to be a good place to set it. I do keep one in the truck toolbag though

I also used a Ryobi corded/cordless electric soldering station a bit ago and liked it. Uses their 18v batteries (which i have plenty of). Its nice having the full station and not needing to be plugged into the wall. Ill probably pick up my own at some point

 

Here is the one I bought:

https://www.amazon.com/FX888D-23BY-Digital-Soldering-Station-FX-888D/dp/B07XLNF5PK

 

Although your comment does make sense and is accurate, I'm wondering why you prefer to be attached to a cord, why you want to wait an extra 5 or so minutes for it to heat up every single time, and why use a corded model over a cordless model for light and quick soldering jobs?

These cordless deals work far too well for old school thought patterns, IMO, but to each their own. I use my cordless iron for almost every single soldering job I do, regardless of where the work is being done. If I'm doing extremely fine (tiny soldering points on a pc board such as on a chip) or a BIG soldering job I'll use the corded version.

 

This is the one I use at work and at home. Make sure to check out the tip array.

 

Whoa! A antenna on a cordless soldering iron! Is it wifi and bluetooth capable?

Lol. I'm just kidding.

 

I just picked up the Yellow Daytona 3 ton floor jack. So far it is fantastic. My little 1 1/2 ton only had about a 14" lift and with my new lifted Taco it was sketchy at best cribbing it up with wood. I made sure I had my wife see what I had to go through just to take off a tire. After she did she gave me the green light to get it. I almost bought the red 3 ton and saved 90 bucks but I figured I may as well treat myself to the best.

 

Made my first Harbor Freight purchase since being added to the coupon email list. Paid for a pair of lashing straps for my kayaks and the 37 piece impact socket set (on sale for 19.99), and got a 25ft tape measure, package of microfiber towels, and a tarp for free. I see this being a problem in the future...

 

It already is. Lol

 

I think I've posted this in the past but... This place is just like a women's shoe store but for men!

 

What kind of men want women's shoes?

 

me waiting 5mins for it to heat up is fine, im not in a rush to do anything lol Im a big corded guy i have corded saw, impact, and drills. Batteries die eventually, straight power from the wall is consistent. feel like theyre more reliable. Butane may work..hmmm Ill check them all out tonight when i have some time. thanks for all the recommendations!

 

To each their own. Butane powered cordless soldering irons heat output is extremely consistent and extremely quick, are perfect for smaller jobs, cheap AF to run, but if you don't mind and if you enjoy waisting your time with no actual benefit then feel free to do so. No offense meant! Facts only!

 

I used a butane once. Not for me.

 

Any feedback on the Mauer impact drivers?